There’s something special going on down at the Howe Sound Secondary gymnasium.
For the past year it’s been the venue for Squamish’s first girl’s volleyball club, which consists of three teams of determined young athletes. Many of them had been introduced to the sport before the club was formed, usually through school, but this extracurricular opportunity has given them a chance to take their skills to the next level. And after an impressive performance at provincials, it appears that they’re just getting started.
For 18U head coach Veronika Voracek, it’s been an emotional journey.
“I’m so proud. We’re a brand new club and we organized ourselves to get to all these events and competitions, playing against the best of the best. The fact that we’re even there gives us so much pride to bring back to Squamish. I told the girls, ‘nobody can take away that you were the first ever volleyball team from Squamish to compete at this level’,” she told The Squamish Chief.
At provincials in Abbotsford and Richmond, the 14U girls finished sixth in division four, the 16U finished ninth in division four, and the 18U girls finished 8th in division three. It was an impressive feat already, but Voracek feels it bodes even better for the future. According to her, the girls’ skills are progressing exponentially.
“Many of these girls had experience through school teams, but in the Sea to Sky area that’s quite limited because there’s a no-cut policy which means they don’t get a lot of ball touches or playing time. So just being able to provide them the time to train, touch the ball, move around and get out there playing with other teams has been huge,” she said.
“They all knew what was up already, and they had some great high school coaches, but we can give them more. We’ve got four coaches a practice, and we’re fine-tuning what they already know and helping them to do it better.”
And beyond the competitive element, Voracek feels the new club has been hugely beneficial to its participants’ sense of wellbeing and mental health.
“If you look at the statistics on girls and mental health, the rate they drop out is two or three times more than boys. Already we’re at a loss, so to have a supportive group for them to be in and to come to every week, it really helps with their mental and physical health. It’s a place for them to come and let it all out, like stress release,” she said.
The club is currently looking for a new director, as well as coaches.
They’re grateful to their local sponsors. Without them, there would not have been a first year, she said.
Registration will begin in September, with fall clinics following close after.
If you’re interested in registering for the Squamish Volleyball Club, you can email squamishvolleyballclub@gmail.com.
Find them on Facebook at Squamish Volleyball Club and on Instagram at svc_wild
